Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey Prompting 4-3-3 Formation Potential

Arsenal have lacked fluency in recent weeks and results have dipped slightly as a result. Could a formational tweak prove a masterstroke in reinvigorating the side? Let’s assess the possibility…

Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium has pretty much only known Wenger’s 4-2-3-1 formation. While Bergkamp, Henry, Wright and many other often featured in a 4-4-2 during Wenger’s reign at Highbury. His favoured formation in recent history has been the 4-2-3-1.

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The formational success of this system cannot be easily judged as it has been used during times of financial struggle. Yet in general, it is a formation that provides balance and thoroughly suits our style of play.

Early in the season it was particularly potent especially with Alexis’s emergence as a striker. The 3-0 win over Chelsea (what an achievement that looks now!) was testament to the improvement in Wenger’s system.

However, in recent weeks thing have not been as rosy. While we still remain unbeaten since our opening loss to Liverpool, the past games have not been too easy on the eye. Strained wins over Swansea and Burnley and draws against Tottenham and Man United are evidence of this.

I’m a big supporter of grinding out wins and showing character. But as Wenger stated on Saturday, it has been a bit too much steel and not enough style recently. Could a tweak in the formation change this?

Much of the problem on Saturday in our laboured draw against United was fluency. There wasn’t any harmony between our two sitting midfielders and the four in front of them. While that is partly due to Cazorla’s absence, it remains a weakness in the system.

Operating in a 4-3-3 would solve this problem. Three in the midfield would allow more solidarity without the ball and more fluency with it. One key benefit of the 4-3-3 system is that it wholly suits our Welshman Aaron Ramsey.

I’ll be the first to admit that Rambo was far from his best on Saturday but it didn’t help that he was completely out of position. Stranded on the left with the rapid Valencia for company, it’s safe to say he struggled. Yet with Xhaka and Coquelin behind him in a 4-3-3, Ramsey, and the midfield in general, would flourish.

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Coquelin would be the screen, Ramsey the lively attacker and Xhaka a bit of both. I can’t think of much more balance than that. It may seem a bit too defensive but give Ramsey and even Xhaka (at times) the freedom to roam and Arsenal would reap the rewards.

The main problem with operating in a 4-3-3 system at Arsenal in such a way is Ozil and his No. 10 role (effectively it doesn’t exist). While Ozil is obviously at his best in behind the striker, he could play on the left of a front three to good effect. He has done it for Germany and cutting in and creating chances while Monreal/Gibbs overlaps seems pretty tasty.

While Sanchez would take one of the two remaining places in the side. The final position would be fought out by Giroud, the Ox, Walcott and Iwobi. That’s some serious depth!

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I’m not saying the 4-3-3 formation is something we should switch to permanently. But it offers an interesting proposition tactically especially considering our current lack of fluency. I know you’re stubborn Arsene but maybe give this formation a try sometime?

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